Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in San Jose

Fighting for Accident Victims in California

Everyone knows drunk driving is illegal and dangerous. Yet too many drivers get behind the wheel after they’ve had too much to drink. If a drunk driver has injured you, the lawyers at Needham Kepner & Fish LLP zealously pursue compensation for you.

If someone you love has died because of a drunk driver, we can help you win damages for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship and loss of income.

Contact us today at to (408) 716-1668 request a free case review with our experienced team.

How Alcohol Impairment Impacts Driving

Alcohol impairs driving abilities by affecting the brain and body in ways that reduce a driver’s ability to react, make decisions, and control their vehicle safely. The degree of impairment depends on the amount of alcohol consumed, but even small amounts can negatively impact driving skills. Here’s how:

• Slower Reaction Time: Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, which means drivers take longer to react to sudden hazards, such as a pedestrian crossing the street or a car braking suddenly.
• Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making: Alcohol affects the brain's ability to assess risks and make safe choices. Intoxicated drivers may misjudge distances and speeds, take reckless risks such as speeding or running red lights, and overestimate their driving abilities.
• Reduced Coordination: Driving requires coordination between hands, eyes, and feet. Alcohol impairs motor skills, leading to difficulty steering, poor braking control, and trouble maintaining lane position.
• Blurred Vision and Reduced Focus: Alcohol affects the eyes, causing blurred or double vision, reduced depth perception, and difficulty adjusting to bright lights or darkness.
• Drowsiness and Loss of Consciousness: High levels of alcohol can make a driver feel extremely drowsy or even pass out at the wheel, leading to a complete loss of control over the vehicle.
• Decreased Concentration: Even at low Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels, alcohol reduces a driver's ability to stay focused on the road, increasing the chances of missing traffic signals, stop signs, or other cars.

Proving Liability in a Drunk Driving Accident

Proving liability in a drunk driving accident typically involves establishing negligence on the part of the intoxicated driver. This is done by demonstrating four key elements:

1. Duty of Care

All drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws, including not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

2. Breach of Duty

To prove liability, you must show that the driver breached their duty of care by driving while intoxicated. Evidence may include:

• Police reports indicating DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charges
• Results of breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) tests
• Witness statements describing erratic driving behavior
• Surveillance or dashcam footage showing reckless driving

3. Causation

You must prove that the driver’s intoxication directly caused the accident. This can be established through:

• Accident reconstruction reports
• Eyewitness testimony
• Expert testimony from medical professionals or accident analysts

4. Damages

Finally, you need to show that the accident resulted in actual damages, such as:

• Medical bills and injuries
• Vehicle repair costs
• Lost wages due to inability to work
• Pain and suffering

Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers in California

Drunk drivers have slowed reaction time, blurred vision and poor judgment. As a result, they cause horrendous auto accidents. Here are some of the injuries that are common among victims of impaired drivers:

• Neck injuries: The neck is a fragile part of the body that is especially susceptible to injury in auto accidents. The effects of neck injuries range from minor whiplash to death.
• Back injuries: A serious impact to the back or spinal cord can cause long-term pain and disability. Depending on the extent of damage, victims may suffer partial or full paralysis.
• Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are all too common in auto accidents. A collision with a drunk driver may cause a closed-head traumatic brain injury, meaning the skull strikes a hard object but is not penetrated. A collision may also result in a penetrating traumatic brain injury in which an object passes through the skull and damages the delicate brain tissue. Traumatic brain injuries can cause insomnia, severe headaches, motor skill impairment and death.
• Broken bones: Many car accidents with drunk drivers leave victims with broken bones in their arms, legs and hands.

If someone you love was killed by a drunk or distracted driver, justice demands that you obtain full compensation. Our compassionate car accident lawyers understand that your emotional state may make it difficult to think about taking legal action.

A successful wrongful death claim, however, can provide you with the resources to properly put your loved one to rest and to secure your family’s future.

Injury Attorneys Serve San Jose, Sacramento & San Francisco

When a drunk driver injures you or a family member, the lawyers at Needham Kepner & Fish LLP help you fight back. If your condition prevents you from visiting our office, we will visit you at your home or hospital bed.

To schedule a free consultation, call (408) 716-1668 or contact us online. We handle injury cases on a contingent fee basis, which means that you pay us nothing unless you recover compensation.